In ancient times people were engaged in manual work for nearly the whole day for most part of the year. They travelled much to gather food and took refuge in caves or on treetops against predators. They also learnt the simple art and skill of defence by using handy weapons.
In order to survive they had to run faster, jump higher and longer, swim against tides and climb swifter. After developing agriculture, they stopped their nomadic ways of life and began to settle down. Gradually they resorted to agricultural tools which facilitated their work. When fertility of the soil declined they shifted elsewhere as land was plenty and free. Because of necessity they learnt how to make knives, axes, swords, cutting materials, bows and arrows, spears, etc.
Males and females worked together and helped each other. Hence they became strong and healthy as they had enough physical exercises. While most of outdoor work was looked after by males, females were also taught by their mothers how to cook and wash.
Nowadays machines do more and more of the work which make our life easier. Consequently, due to lack of body and muscle movements people become physically weak and susceptible to diseases like cancer, diabetes, gastroenteritis, heart attack, stroke, etc. which in earliest days were unknown at all.
Schoolchildren have to carry big bags of books to school and these have an effect on their health. Some ways and means are to be devised to relieve them of their burden. Physical fitness does not depend only on exercises but also on nutrition, sleep, rest and good habits.
Most schools worldwide stress the need and importance of physical fitness and in this connection the words of John Wooden are to be borne in mind, “It is impossible to attain proper physical condition without being sound both mentally and morally”. Extra-curricular activities like sports and games, music and dancing, drill, etc. are now part of the school curricula. Besides these, National Cadet Corps (NCC) is an added attraction.
Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs in every state and Union Territory under Union Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs is conducting various programmes for welfare of students. In 1984 Government of India established Sports Authority of India (SAI) with the twin objectives of spotting and nurturing talented children in different age groups for achieving excellence by providing them with requisite infrastructure and equipment support, coaching and other facilities. SAI is also responsible for maintaining and utilising stadia which were constructed/renovated during the Ninth Asian Games in Delhi.
In Meghalaya, a number of young boys and girls have shown their capability in various categories of sports and games. State should not concentrate only in urban areas but also in rural areas where potentiality is greater, especially among the poor and neglected segments. Schemes can be introduced for extending financial assistance to gifted and needy youths. Special provision for promotion of sports and games for disabled, which was ignored all along, should be started.